title: Limited ability of three commonly used thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques in filling oval-shaped canals.
abstract: The present study was designed to compare the percentage of gutta-percha-filled area (PGFA) achieved in oval-shaped canals after filling by 3 thermoplasticized techniques. Eighty-seven oval-shaped root canals were prepared and root-filled as follows: lateral condensation (n = 20), thermomechanical compaction (n = 20), wave of condensation (n = 20), and Thermafil system (n = 20). A cross section of each tooth was made 5 mm from the apex, and the samples were prepared for microscopic analysis. Digital image measurements of the cross-sectioned area of the canal and the gutta-percha were performed, and the PGFA was calculated. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed with the Kruskal-Wallis H test and post hoc Dunn test. Overall, PGFAs were variable among the experimental groups, ranging from 37.1%-98.5%, and the pooled data from all techniques had a general mean of 69.6% +/- 18%. Thermafil system, wave of condensation, and thermomechanical compaction produced significantly higher PGFAs than lateral condensation (P < .05); however, no significant differences among these techniques were detected (P > .05). Therefore, a limited ability to fill oval-shaped canals was achieved in the 3 thermoplasticized techniques tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Veiga de Almeida University (UVA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: endogus@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De-Deus
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beznos
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alice Maria Gruetzmacher
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Abranches
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tauby
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coutinho-Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paciornik
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D006171:Gutta-Percha